An Upper Sixth artist at Millfield School in Street has launched a successful clothing business during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Inspired by his studies at Millfield, Will Smith used his time at school where he studies BTEC art and design, and A-level photography, to learn how to set up his exclusive leisure-wear brand Wills Way Clothing, which is manufactured in the UK.

The 18-year-old, who joined Millfield Prep at Edgarley in 2014 and attends Millfield on an art scholarship, said the BTEC course had "changed his life".

Will's first T-shirt design featured a sketch that he drew during his BTEC course, and the range sold out online in less than two hours when it was launched in November.

He said that the modules on the BTEC course, which include silk screening and digital design using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, have been the perfect foundations for him to launch his business.

"I absolutely would not have been able to launch my brand without the framework that my course at Millfield offered – it really is a training ground for anyone wanting to pursue a creative outlet like fashion or design," Will said.

He is now expanding his range with a collaboration with former Millfield student and friend Mila Nikcevic, who is currently studying Menswear at the University of Westminster.

The school is well-known for producing entrepreneurs - notable business alumni include James Shapland, founder of the Coffee #1 chain and Emma Macdonald, founder of The Bay Tree Food Company.

Fellow Millfield Upper Sixth student Ailbe Bartlett, who studies BTEC business and entrepreneurship, also recently won £1,000 after pitching his sustainable bike-upcycling business to Dragon's Den star Peter Jones.

Students undertaking art, design and technology courses at Millfield have the chance to make use of more than 20 print-making, sculpture, printing and photography workshops and studios.

Millfield's Art department has a team of 14 teachers, as well as the Atkinson Gallery, which holds major contemporary exhibitions each year.

Recent events have included artist's talks, workshops and residencies by Stewart Geddes, Adam Berry, Mark Elliot Smith, Duncan Elliot and Turner Prize-winning artist Mark Leckey.